Eating Out on a Budget in Manhattan

It is very easy to spend $50-$100 for a meal at a high end trendy restaurant in Manhattan. It is something you should experience at least once, but let’s face it, not many people can afford to do it all the time, especially if you are visiting with a family But if you know what to look for, you can get a good, satisfying meal for less than $25 and in some budget restaurants less than $20. True, you will have to give up the ambiance- the white table cloths, fancy china, plush carpeting etc., but once you get the bill, you will not miss it at all. There are some things to look for. First of all Diners, pubs, Chinese restaurants, Delis, all are more likely to be a budget restaurant. . Also, you will find more budget restaurants out side of mid town. There are some budget restaurants there, but not that many. Look in the side streets instead of the main avenues. Try the neighborhoods to the south, like the ones listed below. Look in the restaurant’s window. Many of them have the menu posted there. In the examples below, the items are from the dinner menu unless it says otherwise. The dinner menu is usually more expensive than the lunch menu, so you can figure to get lunch at an even better price. Drinks are not included. There are just too many choices. Don’t forget you have to figure the tip and the 8 1/4% New York City sales tax into the total. When you go to any restaurant ask if they have daily specials. Many of them do, and they do not necessarily have them posted.

Budget Restaurants in Chelsea, Manhattan

Your Taste
http://www.yourtaste.net/
100 W 23rd St,
New York 10011
At 6th Avenue
You do have your choice here, from Asian to Bar-B-Q. They are open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can customize your meal to Your Taste. For example,
Start with an appetizer from the Asian menu:
Mini Shrimp Spring Roll (4 Pcs)$ 3.95
Or a cup of soup
Chicken Noodle $2.50
Then add on the main course
Homemade Cheese Ravioli W/ Tomato Sauce $13.95
Spaghetti Bolognese $13.95
All dinners are $13.95
You will end up paying from $16.45 to $20.40 if you choose both the appetizer and soup If you are not in the mood for a hot meal, you can get a wrap or sandwich and the price will be even more reasonable.

Budget Restaurants in Gramarcy Park, Manhattan

Bao Noodles
http://www.baonoodles.com/
391 2nd Ave
New York 10010
Between 22nd & 23rd Streets
The cuisine is Vietnamese and if you have never tired it, you are missing a great experience. They are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner and they will deliver. Here is their sample meal
Start out with an appetizer,
4.95 VEGETABLE SPRING ROLL
Cha? gi�² chay tofu, taro root, bamboo shoots, ear mushrooms, deep-fried with ginger lime soy sauce
Add an entree
9.95 GRILLED PORK CHOP Suon nuo+’ng with lettuce, fresh herbs, and tomatoes
or a soup( they are a meal in themselves)
8.95 OXTAIL NOODLE SOUP, RARE BEEF ROUND
Pho+? t�¡i thin slices of rare beef with rice noodles and bean sprouts in an anise-flavored oxtail broth
or a sandwich
5.95 GRILLED SHRIMP BÃ?¡nh mÃ?¬ tÃ?´m nuo+’ng
and a side
1.95 WHITE RICE Com tr�¡ng
and you have a full meal from $12.95 to $16.65
With theses prices you can get a second side. Drinks go for around $9-$10

Budget Restaurants in Harlem, Manhattan

Raw Soul
http://www.rawsoul.com/restaurant.html
348 W 145th Street
New York 10031
Between St Nicholas & Edgecombe Avenues
Raw Soul is about plain, good food. Nothing fancy, just a nice clean place to come and maybe try something new. They are open seven days a week, no breakfast on Sunday. They serve vegetarian and vegan dishes. So, let;’s give a look. By the way they make everything including the juices themselves.
Start out with
Soup of the Day $4.00/
or
Salad of the Day $5.00/16 oz.
Add the main course
Lasagna $9.00
Our classic spinach mushroom lasagna with zucchini noodles, walnut cheese and sun-dried tomato marinara sauce
Add on a side
Sides (See Board for Daily Selections)
$5.00 each vegetarian Chile, Barley Pilaf, Yams, Marinated Daily Vegetables, Guacamole, Antipasto and more!
And top it all off with dessert
Desserts $6.00/$7.00
And you can get a good filling and healthy meal for $24-$25

Budget Restaurants in Union Square, Manhattan

Big Daddy’s Diner
http://www.bigdaddysnyc.com/index.html
239 Park Ave S,
New York 10003
Between 19th & 20th Streets
Diners are always a good, economical place to grab a meal and Bid Daddy’s is no exception. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. This is some of what they have to offer. First of all they have a kid’s menu where your child can get a full meal for $6.95 including a large chocolate milk and an ice cream sundae, Now for the big folks. The menu of lunch and dinner is the same.
Start with an appetizer
Twist and Shout Onion Rings $3.93
Add on a dinner salad
The Kitchen Sink crispy romaine, red ripe tomatoes, celery, cucumbers, carrots, roasted turkey, roast beef, black forest ham, Swiss cheese, Vermont cheddar cheese & crispy bacon all chopped up and tossed with creamy green goddess dressing$12.94
Or a sandwich
Chicken- Lickin Sandy grilled marinated chicken breast, thick sliced crispy bacon, avocado, caramelized onions, leafy lettuce, and tomato, melted jalapeno jack with herb mayo on rustic ciabotto$8.97
Or a blue plate special for $12.00
Or a burger Served with Fries or Tater Tots, Cole Slaw & Pickles
All American Burger 101 classic 8oz. burger, with lettuce & tomato$ 8.95
And top it off with dessert
Terrific Topsy Turvey Three Apple Pie add a scoop of ice cream for a buck
6.93
And you can get a full meal for from $19.81 to $23.80
So there is a quick look at some of the best rated low-cost restaurants in Manhattan. Not all of the items on their menus will bring you in under $25.00,but there will be more than one choice at each restaurant. I hope you give at least one of them a try and maybe put one or two of them on y our favorite places list.